New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-15
DEATH OF"LARRYD OBRIEM

RECALLING HIS DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH
THOMAS TRuMAN-HIs POLITICAL CAREER
Dispatches were received in this city yesterday
announcing the death OF eA-Assemblyman and ex Al
dcrman Larry" O'Brien at Nassau. similar report
was circulated about q fortnight ago, but was
promptly denied by members of the family. dis
patch sent yesterday LETT tor doubt that the
report as true this time. Mrs. Larry" OBrien
sent il from jacksonville, Fla to Mrs. James O'Bren,
her sister-inlaw. 1t stated that her husband died
last Wednesday and that his last moments were
happy. Father Ryan, OF the Roman Catholic Church
at Nassau administered the sacrament to him just
prior 10 his death.
Orien, in bis short career had acquired consdera-
ble notOrety as an active ward politician and was
widely known ana well-liked 10y gamblers and mem
beers OF the sporting fraternity generally lie was
horn IN Ireland thirty eight years ago And one OF
family OF nine children He came to New-Yor when
six years old and educated in the public schools.
While still youth he displayed great interest IN
political affairs and had only just passed his majority
when he Was chosen represent the XIth District in
the Board OF Aldermen. The following year he was
sent to tie Assembly from the same district. Since
then he has made himself useful to his BROTHER OK
Sheriff O'Brien, about election times
O'Irien lever recovered from the injuries which he
received in his memorable encounter with Thomas
Truman, the notorious gambler. OF Broadway and
Twenty seventh st., on May Ia, 1889. The low grew
out of suit tor dl,orc brought by Trunans wife
which was then pending. Truman had threatened to
bring q counter-sut alleging that his wife had been
unfaithtul to him and charging her with Undue
intimacy with several men welknown in business and
great deal OF influence gamblers 1t Is supposed
that one of the WHO feared that hie name would
be brought into the scandal had induced him to
request Truman not to make hun correspondent or
TO use his in the suit. The men met and alter
chatting quietly for a few minutes began to quarrel
In the heat OF dispute. Truman applied an epthet to
OHren which the latter resented with a blow from
his heavy walking stick Truman then drew knio
from his pocket and sashng away blindly at his op,
ponent cut deep cash in his stomach. OBrien tell
TO the sidewalk but his feet again In second
with 32-calibre revolver in his hand Before a
officer who had just arrived could Interfere, OBlen
had fired twice at Truman, ball fracurng his right
arm and the other entering between his shoulder
blades Truman dashed across the street and into
the apartment house at No. 1.16U Broadway.
OBren with revolver in hand, close at his heels
but was now so exha listed from loss Of blood that he
fell unconscious the hallway. Both men were
taken TO the New York Hospital. Trumans wounds
were comparatively slight aud he was able TO he
about in ten Gays but OBrIen seriously injured
that 1t was thought he could not live Heroic
sursical treatment brought him through. however
John Moran one Of his friends, went TO Nassau two
weeks ago to bring O'Bren home TO die. The
alarming rumors about him caused Mrs O'Brien to
start for Nassau and she arrived there day before
his death. The BODY taken TO Jacksonville by
the first steamer II Will be brought to this city and
taken to OBrien's home, No. 255 West TSerty-
secOnd-st. -Four brothers-]ames, the exSherih
Stephen, an Excise Board empoye; Patrick, Gen;
eral Sessions Court officer, and John, broker-snd
two sisters Mr.. Burke aud Mrs Green, survive him.
lie had no children.